Drink-drive footballer crashed into parked cars when three times over limit

Republic of Ireland footballer Darron Gibson was three times over the drink-drive limit when he smashed his Mercedes 4×4 into parked cars on St Patrick's Day, a court has heard.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland midfielder admitted drink-driving during a brief appearance at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

Gibson, whose contract with Sunderland was terminated after he was charged, knocked a taxi's wing mirror off in West Bolton but carried on and smashed into parked cars in Dovedale Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, as he tried to get to the club's training ground.

Rebecca Laverick, prosecuting, said an initial roadside breath test recorded 105 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

When he was formally tested again at the police station he was found to have 95mg of alcohol per 100ml and he was charged using that lower figure.

Mrs Laverick said: "The defendant was spoken to at the roadside, police officers established he was under the influence.

"He said he had had two drinks the night before.

"That didn't coincide with the manner he was presenting in, his speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol."

Mrs Laverick said Gibson had a previous conviction for drink-driving and driving without due care and attention in September 2015.